Fire crews begin to mop up Bensen Fire burning east of Alamogordo in the Lincoln National Forest

Fire crews have begun mopping up the Bensen Fire burning in the Lincoln National Forest east of Alamogordo.

According to Fire Management officer Jay Northcott, the 96 acre blaze was 85 percent contained as of Monday but that percentage had not increased by Tuesday.

Fire crews were able to hold the fire line Saturday in spite of high winds. The fire line remained secure on Tuesday and the fire had been moderated by lower temperatures and higher humidity, according to the website nmfiresinfo.com.

The fire is burning three miles west of Sunspot Observatory and has scorched ponderosa pine, pinon juniper, grass, logging and slash, according to the website.

It broke out around 2 p.m. Thursday near Joplin Ridge and Dog Canyon. It is believed to be human caused, although it is still under investigation, the website shows.

Northcott said one hotshot crew and one fire engine are still on scene,.

About 25 people are still fighting the fire. At one point, nearly 125 people were on scene, according to the website.

There have been no injuries and no structures were threatened although much of the focus on fire fighting efforts was to keep it from moving toward the observatory in Sunspot. There have been no evacuations, according to the website.

Closures of Dog Canyon Trail and West Side Road were lifted at 8 a.m. Tuesday.